04 Jul 2017 | 01:59 AM UTC
Iraq: Two suicide bombings kill at least 15 people July 2-3
Suicide bomber dressed as woman kills at least 14 people in displaced persons camp in western Ramadi July 2; two women suicide bombers kill one Iraqi soldier and injure several others in Mosul July 3
Event
On Sunday, July 2, a suicide bomber killed at least 14 people and injured at least 20 others in a displaced persons camp in western Ramadi (Anbar province). The suicide bomber was disguised as a woman and detonated the explosive device at a camp entrance checkpoint. The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to a local official, the camp will be closed and all of its inhabitants will be moved to a more secure camp west of Ramadi.
On Monday, July, 3, two women suicide bombers hiding among fleeing civilians reportedly killed one Iraqi soldier and injured several others near the al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul's Old City neighborhood.
Context
According to an Iraqi military official, using women as suicide bombers is becoming an increasingly common IS tactic, with at least two other similar attacks occurring in Mosul over the past three days. The US-backed offensive on Mosul has been largely successful, with IS now controlling just around 1 sq km (0.4 sq mi) of the city.
While Iraqi security forces have retaken Ramadi and Fallujah, IS still controls parts of western Anbar province and poses a significant security threat.
IS-linked suicide bombings have been frequent in recent months. On June 9, a suicide bomber killed more than 20 people in a market near the Shi'a city of Karbala. IS claimed responsibility for the attack, which came ten days after a bombing in Baghdad killed more than 25 civilians. The Baghdad attack occurred as Iraqis were gathered in the streets and restaurants of the city to break the daily Ramadan fast. During Ramadan 2016, Baghdad witnessed one of its deadliest attacks ever when an IS suicide bomber killed more than 300 people in the Karrada neighborhood.
Advice
Individuals throughout Iraq are advised to remain vigilant due to the high risk of terrorist attacks and militant activity.
The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Although travel is permissible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel.
